Energy harvesting sensing nodes

ABSTRACT

The disclosure generally relates to wireless sensing nodes, energy harvesting, and energy charging. The disclosure also generally relates to reporting data gathered by the wireless sensing nodes to one or more network services.

BACKGROUND

Wireless sensor systems are used in a variety of different applicationsincluding sensing devices for diagnostic and maintenance applications.For example, vehicles commonly are equipped with a variety of differentsensors for monitoring various components that are subjected to stressand wear, and signaling when they should be replaced.

The power sources that are used for such sensor systems depend on theapplication. Wired power sources are most useful for stationary wirelesssensing applications. Batteries are used for mobile applications butthey must be replaced or recharged and therefore are not practical inmany embedded sensing applications.

In an effort to overcome the limitations of wired and battery poweredapproaches, there has been significant effort to harvest energy from theambient environment using one or more power harvesting techniques. Forexample, different energy harvesting approaches have been proposed forconverting kinetic energy sources into electrical energy. Examples ofsuch energy sources include mechanical motion, wind, ocean waves, andambient vibrations.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention features apparatus that includes a flexibleadhesive tape node attached to a rotatable component and comprising anenergy harvester component, a processor, a memory, a rechargeable energysource, and a wireless transmitter; wherein rotation of the rotatablecomponent generates an electric current in the energy harvestercomponent that powers a rechargeable energy source.

In some examples, the rotatable component is a wheel rim of the vehicle.In an example, the flexible adhesive tape node includes an RFID readercircuit attached to the wheel rim of the vehicle and configured tointerrogate an RFID tag in a tire of the vehicle. In an example, theflexible adhesive tape node is attached to the wheel rim between thewheel rim and a tire of the vehicle. In an example, the flexibleadhesive tape node includes a pressure sensor that generates outputpressure values, and the wireless transmitter is operable to wirelesslytransmit one or more data packets encoded with the output temperaturevalues to a network address. In some examples, the flexible adhesivetape node includes a temperature sensor that generates outputtemperature values, and the wireless transmitter is operable towirelessly transmit one or more data packets encoded with the outputtemperature values to a network address.

In some examples, the rotatable component is an axel of the vehicle. Inan example, the energy harvester component of the flexible adhesive tapenode comprises a vibration sensor that generates electrical energy inresponse to vibration at an output that is electrically connected to therechargeable energy source. In an example, the energy harvestercomponent of the flexible adhesive tape node includes a thermoelectricenergy generator coupled to an input of the rechargeable energy source.In some examples, the thermoelectric energy generator is embedded in abolt securing a wheel hub to the wheel rim of the vehicle.

In some examples, the energy harvester component of the flexibleadhesive tape node comprises a planar electrically conductive coil thatis configured to couple with the magnetic field generated by themagnetic field generation component.

In some examples, a magnetic field generation component configured to bemounted to a chassis of a vehicle adjacent a rotatable component of thevehicle; wherein rotation of the rotatable component in relation to themagnetic field generation component induces the electric current in theenergy harvester component that powers the rechargeable energy source.

An exemplary apparatus includes: one or more flexible adhesive tapenodes each respectively comprising a processor, a non-volatile memory,an energy source, and a wireless transmitter, wherein at least one ofthe flexible adhesive tape nodes is a master node and multiple otherones of the flexible adhesive tape nodes are peripheral nodes, whereinthe flexible adhesive tape nodes are adhered to the vehicle atrespective locations and communicate with one another wirelessly over awireless network. In a reconstruct phase, the master node is programmedto: establish the current network environment based on a last state ofthe network environment stored in its non-volatile memory, receive anoptimized schedule of activities, transmit sets of coded instructions toperform those activities to respective ones of the flexible adhesivetape nodes, and store the respective sets of coded instructions innon-volatile memory. In an execute phase, the respective ones of theflexible adhesive tape nodes are programmed to execute the coded sets ofinstructions stored in the respective sets of coded instructions innon-volatile memory. In a prepare reconstruction phase, the master andperipheral tape nodes are programmed to determine results of the executephase, and transmit the determined results to respective flexibleadhesive tape nodes to respective next levels up in a hierarchy of theflexible adhesive tape nodes.

In some examples, in the reconstruct phase, the master node isprogrammed to establish the last state of the network environment basedon data comprising values of variables, algorithm parameters, programcounters, and energy levels of the flexible adhesive tape nodes.

In some examples, a wireless charging system includes a receiver and abeam steering wireless charger. The receiver includes a flexibleadhesive tape node comprising a receiver planar coil, a processor, amemory, a rechargeable energy source, and a wireless transceiver. Thebeam steering wireless charger includes a flexible adhesive tape nodecomprising a transmitter planar coil, a processor, a memory, an energysource, and a wireless transceiver, wherein the memory of the wirelesscharger flexible adhesive tape node stores coded instructions towirelessly ascertain a charge level of the rechargeable energy source ofthe receiver flexible adhesive tape node and, based on a determinationthat the charge level is below a threshold, initiate a process ofwirelessly charging the rechargeable energy source by steering aradiofrequency beam toward a location of the receiver for a specifiedduration.

The invention also features apparatus operable to implement the methoddescribed above and computer-readable media storing computer-readableinstructions causing a computer to implement the method described above.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C show diagrammatic cross-sectional side views of portions ofdifferent respective adhesive tape platforms.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an example vehicle carrying an energyharvesting wireless sensing unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example of the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a common support substrate for componentsof an example energy harvesting wireless sensing unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of an example of a network environmentsupporting location tracking for examples of the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit.

FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic view of an example array of one or morestationary permanent magnets configured to magnetically couple with anenergy harvesting wireless sensing unit embedded in a wheel rim of avehicle.

FIG. 6B shows an example of the wheel rim shown in FIG. 6A that isaligned for attachment to a hub of an axle.

FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an embodimentof an energy harvesting wireless sensing unit.

FIG. 7B shows an embodiment of a planar coil energy harvester shown inFIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C shows an embodiment of a planar coil energy harvester 94connected to a rectifier that rectifies the output of the planar coilenergy harvester.

FIG. 8A is a diagrammatic view of an example of a piezoelectric energyharvesting wireless sensing unit.

FIG. 8B shows an embodiment of a piezoelectric energy harvestingwireless sensing circuit.

FIG. 9A shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of a wheel hub boltthat is configured to generate electrical energy.

FIG. 9B shows an embodiment of a thermoelectric based energy harvestingwireless sensing circuit that includes a thermoelectric energyharvesting bolt.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example of an energy harvestingwireless sensing unit that includes a vibration sensor.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example of an energy harvestingwireless sensing unit that includes an RFID reader.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of an example room that includes a devicefor electrically charging a number of tape nodes in the room.

FIG. 13A is a diagrammatic view of the example room of FIG. 11 thatincludes tape nodes that are being charged.

FIG. 13B is a block diagram of components of tape node charger charginga rechargeable battery in a set of tape receiver components

FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method of scheduling tasks and activitiesperformed by a logical set of tape nodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, like reference numbers are used toidentify like elements. Furthermore, the drawings are intended toillustrate major features of exemplary embodiments in a diagrammaticmanner. The drawings are not intended to depict every feature of actualembodiments nor relative dimensions of the depicted elements, and arenot drawn to scale.

As used herein, the term “or” refers an inclusive “or” rather than anexclusive “or.” In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thespecification and claims mean “one or more” unless specified otherwiseor clear from the context to refer the singular form.

The term “tape node” refers to an adhesive tape platform or a segmentthereof that is equipped with sensor, processor, memory, energysource/harvesting mechanism, and wireless communications functionality,where the adhesive product has a variety of different form factors,including a multilayer roll or a sheet that includes a plurality ofdivisible adhesive segments. Once deployed, each tape node can function,for example, as an adhesive tape, label, sticker, decal, or the like,and as a wireless communications device. A “peripheral” tape node (alsoreferred to as an “outer” node, a “leaf” node, and “terminal” node)refers to a tape node that does not have any child nodes.

This specification describes a low-cost, multi-function adhesive tapeplatform with a form factor that unobtrusively integrates the componentsuseful for implementing a combination of different functions and also isable to perform a useful ancillary function that otherwise would have tobe performed with the attendant need for additional materials, labor,and expense. In an aspect, the adhesive tape platform is implemented asa collection of adhesive products that integrate wireless communicationsand sensing components within a flexible adhesive structure in a waythat not only provides a cost-effective platform for interconnecting,optimizing, and protecting the components of the tracking system butalso maintains the flexibility needed to function as an adhesive productthat can be deployed seamlessly and unobtrusively into a wide variety ofapplications and workflows, including person and object trackingapplications, and asset management workflows such as manufacturing,storage, shipping, delivery, and other logistics associated with movingproducts and other physical objects, including sensing, tracking,locationing, warehousing, parking, safety, construction, eventdetection, road management and infrastructure, security, healthcare, andother network service applications. In some examples, the adhesive tapeplatforms are used in various aspects of logistics management, includingsealing parcels, transporting parcels, tracking parcels, monitoring theconditions of parcels, inventorying parcels, and verifying packagesecurity. In these examples, the sealed parcels typically aretransported from one location to another by truck, train, ship, oraircraft or within premises, e.g., warehouses by forklift, trolleys etc.

In disclosed examples, an adhesive tape platform includes a plurality ofsegments that can be separated from the adhesive product (e.g., bycutting, tearing, peeling, or the like) and adhesively attached to avariety of different surfaces to inconspicuously implement any of a widevariety of different wireless communications based networkcommunications and transducing (e.g., sensing, actuating, etc.)applications. Examples of such applications include: event detectionapplications, monitoring applications, security applications,notification applications, and tracking applications, includinginventory tracking, package tracking, person tracking, animal (e.g.,pet) tracking, manufactured parts tracking, and vehicle tracking. Inexample embodiments, each segment of an adhesive tape platform isequipped with an energy source, wireless communication functionality,transducing functionality, and processing functionality that enable thesegment to perform one or more transducing functions and report theresults to a remote server or other computer system directly or througha network of tapes. The components of the adhesive tape platform areencapsulated within a flexible adhesive structure that protects thecomponents from damage while maintaining the flexibility needed tofunction as an adhesive tape (e.g., duct tape or a label) for use invarious applications and workflows. In addition to single functionapplications, example embodiments also include multiple transducers(e.g., sensing and/or actuating transducers) that extend the utility ofthe platform by, for example, providing supplemental information andfunctionality relating characteristics of the state and or environmentof, for example, an article, object, vehicle, or person, over time.

Systems and processes for fabricating flexible multifunction adhesivetape platforms in efficient and low-cost ways also are described. Inaddition to using roll-to-roll and/or sheet-to-sheet manufacturingtechniques, the fabrication systems and processes are configured tooptimize the placement and integration of components within the flexibleadhesive structure to achieve high flexibility and ruggedness. Thesefabrication systems and processes are able to create useful and reliableadhesive tape platforms that can provide local sensing, wirelesstransmitting, and locationing functionalities. Such functionalitytogether with the low cost of production is expected to encourage theubiquitous deployment of adhesive tape platform segments and therebyalleviate at least some of the problems arising from gaps inconventional network infrastructure coverage that prevent continuousmonitoring, event detection, security, tracking, and other logisticsapplications across heterogeneous environments.

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an examplesegment 402 of the flexible adhesive tape platform that includes arespective set of the components of the wireless transducing circuitcorresponding to the first tape node type (i.e., white; referred toherein as a “peripheral tape node”). The flexible adhesive tape platformsegment 402 includes an adhesive layer 412, an optional flexiblesubstrate 410, and an optional adhesive layer 414 on the bottom surfaceof the flexible substrate 410. If the bottom adhesive layer 414 ispresent, a release liner (not shown) may be (weakly) adhered to thebottom surface of the adhesive layer 414. In some examples, the adhesivelayer 414 includes an adhesive (e.g., an acrylic foam adhesive) that hasa high bond strength that is sufficient to prevent removal of theadhesive segment 402 from a surface on which the adhesive layer 414 isadhered without destroying the physical or mechanical integrity of theadhesive segment 402 and/or one or more of its constituent components.In some examples, the optional flexible substrate 410 is implemented asa prefabricated adhesive tape that includes the adhesive layers 412, 414and the optional release liner. In other examples, the adhesive layers412, 414 are applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the flexiblesubstrate 410 during the fabrication of the adhesive tape platform. Theadhesive layer 412 bonds the flexible substrate 410 to a bottom surfaceof a flexible circuit 416, that includes one or more wiring layers (notshown) that connect the processor 390, a low power wirelesscommunications interface 381 (e.g., a Zigbee, Bluetooth® Low Energy(BLE) interface, or other low power communications interface), a timercircuit 383, transducing and/or energy harvesting component(s) 394 (ifpresent), the memory 396, and other components in a device layer 422 toeach other and to the energy storage component 92 and, thereby, enablethe transducing, tracking and other functionalities of the flexibleadhesive tape platform segment 402. The low power wirelesscommunications interface 81 typically includes one or more of theantennas 384, 388 and one or more of the wireless circuits 382, 386.

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an examplesegment 403 of the flexible adhesive tape platform that includes arespective set of the components of the wireless transducing circuit 406corresponding to the second tape node type (i.e., green; referred toherein as an “intermediate tape node”). In this example, the flexibleadhesive tape platform segment 403 differs from the segment 402 shown inFIG. 1A by the inclusion of a medium power communications interface 385(e.g., a LoRaWAN interface) in addition to the low power communicationsinterface that is present in the first tape node type (i.e., white). Themedium power communications interface has longer communication rangethan the low power communications interface. In some examples, one ormore other components of the flexible adhesive tape platform segment 403differ, for example, in functionality or capacity (e.g., higher capacityenergy source).

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an examplesegment 405 of the flexible adhesive tape platform that includes arespective set of the components of the wireless transducing circuit 406corresponding to the third tape node type (i.e., black; referred toherein as a “master tape node”). In this example, the flexible adhesivetape platform segment 405 includes a high power communications interface487 (e.g., a cellular interface; e.g., GSM/GPRS) and an optional mediumand/or low power communications interface 485. The high powercommunication range provides global coverage to available infrastructure(e.g. the cellular network). In some examples, one or more othercomponents of the flexible adhesive tape platform segment 405 differ,for example, in functionality or capacity (e.g., higher capacity energysource).

FIGS. 1A-1C show examples in which the cover layer 428 of the flexibleadhesive tape platform includes one or more interfacial regions 429positioned over one or more of the transducers 394. In examples, one ormore of the interfacial regions 429 have features, properties,compositions, dimensions, and/or characteristics that are designed toimprove the operating performance of the platform for specificapplications. In some examples, the flexible adhesive tape platformincludes multiple interfacial regions 429 over respective transducers394, which may be the same or different depending on the targetapplications. Example interfacial regions include an opening, anoptically transparent window, and/or a membrane located in theinterfacial region 429 of the cover 428 that is positioned over the oneor more transducers and/or energy harvesting components 394. Additionaldetails regarding the structure and operation of example interfacialregions 129 are described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/680,716, filed Jun. 5, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/670,712, filed May 11, 2018, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

In some examples, a flexible polymer layer 424 encapsulates the devicelayer 422 and thereby reduces the risk of damage that may result fromthe intrusion of contaminants and/or liquids (e.g., water) into thedevice layer 422. The flexible polymer layer 424 also planarizes thedevice layer 422. This facilitates optional stacking of additionallayers on the device layer 422 and also distributes forces generated in,on, or across the adhesive tape platform segment 402 so as to reducepotentially damaging asymmetric stresses that might be caused by theapplication of bending, torqueing, pressing, or other forces that may beapplied to the flexible adhesive tape platform segment 402 during use.In the illustrated example, a flexible cover 428 is bonded to theplanarizing polymer 424 by an adhesive layer (not shown).

FIG. 2 shows an example vehicle 10 carrying an example energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 12. In this example, the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 12 can be located anywhere in the vehicle that issubject to any of various types of movements, including vibrations andoscillations. In some examples, the energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 12 can be located within the vehicle (e.g., in the back cargo area)or integrated with a component of the vehicle that changes its shape asit vibrates and/or oscillates (e.g., a component of the vehicle'ssuspension system, such as the spring assembly).

Referring to FIG. 3, the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 12includes an inductor (or a solenoid) 14, a rectifier 16, at least oneprocessor, memory, and one or more sensors 18, a wireless transmitter20, and optionally includes a rechargeable battery 22.

The inductor 14 can be implemented in a variety of different ways. Insome examples, the inductor 14 is implemented as a coil of electricallyconductive material (e.g., copper). The coil may include a core ofmagnetic material, in which case the inductor may be referred to as asolenoid.

In some examples, one or more piezoelectric electric devices can bemounted on the shape-changing component to generate electricity inresponse to strain created by the changes in the shape of the suspensionsystem component. In other examples, one or more induction-based energyharvesting devices can be mounted to components of a vehicle subject totranslational motion relative to one another (e.g., the exterior housingand interior piston of a vehicle's shock absorber). In some of theseexamples, a coil or solenoid (e.g., a coil surrounding a highpermeability core) can be mounted around the exterior housing of theshock absorber, and one or more permanent magnetics can be mounted onthe piston, whereby electricity is generated in response toreciprocation of the piston within the exterior housing of the shockabsorber when the vehicle 10 drives over bumps and other irregularitieson a road.

The rectifier 16 converts the alternating electrical current receivedfrom the inductor (or solenoid) 14 into direct electrical current thatpowers at least one processor, memory, one or more sensors 18, and awireless transmitter 20, and recharges an optional rechargeable battery22.

The one or more sensors 18 can include any of a wide variety ofdifferent sensor systems depending on the target application. Forexample, sensors are used routinely to monitor vehicles and otherequipment for realtime predictive and condition-based maintenance. Suchmonitoring includes detecting components that require maintenance or aresusceptible to imminent failure, such as tires, bearings, etc. Examplesensors include pressure sensors, vibration sensors, image sensors(e.g., infrared sensors), light sensors, acoustic sensors, liquidanalysis sensors, electrical sensors (e.g., ammeters), temperaturesensors, altimeters, flow sensors, and location sensors (e.g., GPSsensors).

The wireless transmitter 20 can include one or more transmitters and/ortransceivers for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals to/fromother wireless devices.

Referring to FIG. 4, in some examples, the rectifier 16, the sensor(s)18, the wireless transceiver(s) 20, and the rechargeable battery 22 areco-located on a common component substrate 24. In the illustratedexample, the wireless transceiver(s) 20 include a number ofcommunication systems 26, 28. Example communication systems 26, 28include a GPS system that includes a GPS receiver circuit 34 (e.g., areceiver semiconductor circuit) and a GPS antenna 36, and one or morewireless communication systems each of which includes a respectivetransceiver circuit 38 (e.g., a transceiver semiconductor circuit) and arespective antenna 40. Example wireless communication systems include acellular communication system (e.g., GSM/GPRS), a Wi-Fi communicationsystem, an RF communication system (e.g., LoRa), a Bluetoothcommunication system (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy system), a Z-wavecommunication system, and a ZigBee communication system. The commoncomponent substrate 24 also includes a processor 42 (e.g., amicrocontroller or microprocessor). The rechargeable battery 22 may be,e.g., a printed flexible battery or a conventional single or multiplecell rechargeable battery. Example sensors include, a capacitive sensor,an altimeter, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, astrain sensor, a pressure sensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, andother sensors mentioned in this disclosure. In some examples, the commoncomponent substrate 24 includes a memory 44 for storing data (e.g.,location data and a unique identifier (ID) associated with the commoncomponent substrate 24). In some examples, the memory 44 may beincorporated into one or more of the processor 42 or sensors 18, or maybe a separate component that is integrated in the common componentsubstrate 24 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows an example network environment 50 that includes a network52 that supports communications between a tracking service 54,localization equipment 56, and a client device 58. The network 52includes one or more network communication systems and technologies,including any one or more of wide area networks, local area networks,public networks (e.g., the internet), private networks (e.g., intranetsand extranets), wired networks, and wireless networks. The localizationequipment 56 includes any one or more of (i) satellite based trackingsystems 60 (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR) that transmit geolocationdata that can be received by suitably equipped receivers in thecommunications systems 26, 28, (ii) cellular based systems that usemobile communication technologies (e.g., GSM, GPRS, CDMA, etc.) toimplement one or more cell-based localization techniques, and (iii)localization equipment 56, such as wireless access points (e.g., Wi-Finodes, Bluetooth nodes, ZigBee nodes, etc.) and other shorter rangelocalization technologies (e.g., ultrasonic localization and/or deadreckoning based on motion sensor measurements).

Location data for a location tracking energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 64 can be obtained using one or more of the localization systemsand technologies described above.

For example, a location tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit64 that includes a GPS receiver is operable to receive location data(e.g., geolocation data) from the Global Positioning System (GPS). Inthis process, the tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64periodically monitors signals from multiple GPS satellites. Each signalcontains information about the time the signal was transmitted and theposition of the satellite at the time of transmission. Based on thelocation and time information for each of four or more satellites, theGPS receiver determines the geolocation of the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64 and the offset of its internal clockfrom true time. Depending on its configuration, the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64 can either forward the received GPSlocation data to the tracking service 54 to determine its geolocation,or first compute geolocation coordinates from the received GPS locationdata and report the computed geolocation coordinates to the trackingservice 54. However, the tracking energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 64 can only determine its GPS location when it is able to receivesignals from at least four GPS satellites at the same time. As a result,GPS localization typically is limited or unavailable in urbanenvironments and indoor locations.

Instead of or in addition to GPS localization, a tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64 can be configured to determine orassist in determining its location using terrestrial locationingtechniques. For example, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)techniques may be used to determine the location of a tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64. These techniques include, forexample, fingerprint matching, trilateration, and triangulation. In anexample RSSI fingerprinting process, one or more predetermined radiomaps of a target area are compared to geo-reference RSSI fingerprintsthat are obtained from measurements of at least three wireless signalsources (e.g., cellular towers or wireless access points) in the targetarea to ascertain the location of the tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 64. The predetermined radio maps typically arestored in a database that is accessible by the tracking service 54. Inexample RSSI triangulation and trilateration processes, the location ofa tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64 can be determinedfrom measurements of signals transmitted from at least threeomnidirectional wireless signal sources (e.g., cellular towers orwireless access points). Examples of the triangulation and trilaterationlocalization techniques may involve use of one or more of time ofarrival (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), time difference of arrival(TDOA), and uplink-time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) techniques. RSSIfingerprint matching, trilateration, and triangulation techniques can beused with cellular and wireless access points that are configured tocommunicate with any of a variety of different communication standardsand protocols, including GSM, CDMA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LowEnergy (BLE), LoRa, ZigBee, Z-wave, and RF.

In some examples, a tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64includes a GSM/GPRS transceiver can scan GSM frequency bands for signalstransmitted from one or more GSM cellular towers. For each signalreceived by the tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64, thetracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64 can determine thesignal strength and the identity of the cellular tower that transmittedthe signal. The tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64 cansend the signal strength and transmitter identifier to the trackingservice 54 to determine the location of the energy harvesting wirelesssensing unit 64. If signal strength and transmitter identifier areavailable from only one cellular tower, the tracking service 54 can usenearest neighbor localization techniques to determine the location ofthe tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64. If signalstrength and transmitter identifier is received from two or morecellular towers, the tracking service 54 can use localizationtechniques, such as fingerprint matching, trilateration, andtriangulation, to calculate the position of the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64.

In some examples, a tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64that includes a Wi-Fi (Wireless-Fidelity) transceiver can scan Wi-Fifrequency bands for signals transmitted from one or more Wi-Fi accesspoints. For each signal received by the tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 64, the tracking energy harvesting wirelesssensing unit 64 can determine the signal strength and the identity ofthe access point that transmitted the signal. The tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64 can send the signal strength andtransmitter identifier information to the tracking service 54 todetermine the location of the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit64. If signal strength and transmitter identifier information isavailable from only one Wi-Fi access point, the tracking service 54 canuse nearest neighbor localization techniques to determine a location ofthe energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64. If signal strength andtransmitter identifier information is received from two or more Wi-Fiaccess points, the tracking service 54 can use localization techniques,such as trilateration, and triangulation, to calculate the position ofan energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64. RSSI fingerprint matchingalso can be used to determine the location of the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64 in areas (e.g., indoor and outdoorlocations, such as malls, warehouses, airports, and shipping ports) forwhich one or more radio maps have been generated.

In some examples, the wireless transceiver in the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64 can transmit a wireless signal(e.g., a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRa, ZigBee, Z-wave,and/or RF signal) that includes the identifier of the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64. The wireless signal can function asa beacon that can be detected by a mobile computing device (e.g., amobile phone) that is suitably configured to ascertain the location ofthe source of the beacon. In some examples, a user (e.g., an operatoraffiliated with the tracking service 54) may use the mobile computingdevice to transmit a signal into an area (e.g., a warehouse) thatincludes the identifier of a target tracking energy harvesting wirelesssensing unit 64 and configures the target tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 64 to begin emitting the wireless beacon signal.In some examples, the target tracking energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 64 will not begin emitting the wireless beacon signal until theuser/operator self-authenticates with the tracking service 54.

The tracking service 54 includes one or more computing resources (e.g.,server computers) that can be located in the same or differentgeographic locations. The tracking service 54 executes a locationingapplication 62 to determine the locations of activated tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing units 64. In some examples, based onexecution of the locationing application 62, the tracking service 54receives location data from one or more of the energy harvestingwireless sensing units 64. In some examples, the tracking service 54processes the data received from tracking energy harvesting wirelesssensing units 64 to determine the physical locations of the trackingenergy harvesting wireless sensing units 64. For example, the energyharvesting wireless sensing units 64 may be configured to obtainlocationing information from signals received from a satellite system(e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR), cell towers, or wireless accesspoints, and send the locationing information to the tracking service 54to ascertain the physical locations of the tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing units 64. In other examples, the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing units 64 are configured to ascertain theirrespective physical locations from the signals received from a satellitesystem (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, and NAVSTAR), cell towers, or wirelessaccess points, and to transmit their respective physical locations tothe tracking service 54. In either or both cases, the tracking service54 typically stores the locationing information and/or the determinedphysical location for each tracking energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 64 in association with the respective unique identifier of thetracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit. The stored data may beused by the tracking service 54 to determine time, location, and state(e.g., sensor based) information about the tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing units 64 and the objects or persons to which thetracking energy harvesting wireless sensing units 64 are attached.Examples of such information include tracking the current location of atracking energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64, determining thephysical route traveled by the tracking energy harvesting wirelesssensing unit 64 over time, and ascertaining stopover locations anddurations.

As shown FIG. 5, the client device 58 includes a client application 66and a display 68. The client application 66 establishes sessions withthe tracking service 54 during which the client application obtainsinformation regarding the locations of the tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing units 64. In some examples, a user of the client device58 must be authenticated before accessing the tracking service 54. Inthis process, the user typically presents multiple authenticationfactors to the system (e.g., user name and password). After the user isauthenticated, the tracking service 54 transmits to the client device 58data associated with the user's account, including information relatingto the tracking energy harvesting wireless sensing units 64 that areassociated with the user's account. The information may include, forexample, the current location of a particular tracking energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 64, the physical route traveled by the trackingenergy harvesting wireless sensing unit 64 over time, stopover locationsand durations, and state and/or changes in state information (asmeasured by one or more sensors associated with the tracking energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 64). The information may be presentedin a user interface on the display 68. Location and state informationmay be presented in the user interface in any of a variety of differentways, including in a table, chart, or map. In some examples, thelocation and state data presented in the user interface are updated inreal time.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some examples, an energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 70 is attached to a wheel rim 72 of a vehicle 74,between the outer circumferential surface of the wheel rim 72 and thetire 76. In general, the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 70 mayinclude any of the components of the common component substrate 24 shownand discussed in connection with FIG. 3, including but not limited toone or more wireless communication systems each of which includes arespective transceiver circuit 38 (e.g., a transceiver semiconductorcircuit), a respective antenna 40, one or more sensors 18, a processor42, and processor readable memory. For example, the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 70 may include, between the wheel rim 72 and thetire 76, one or more pressure sensors that are configured (e.g.,calibrated) to directly measure the tire pressure at scheduled intervalsand wirelessly transmit information regarding the measured pressure to areceiver unit in the driver's dashboard interface of the vehicle 74. Theinformation regarding the measured tire pressure also may be reported toa network service (e.g., a rental car company or a ride hailingservice). Other parameters that can be measured and reported include,for example, acceleration, temperature, humidity, and wheel rotationrate.

In some examples, the wheel rim 72 is casted out of aluminum or aluminumalloy with an exterior surface that is configured to support one or moreof the components of the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 70. Insome embodiments, the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 70includes an inductor and/or solenoid, a rectifier, one or more sensors,one or more wireless transceivers, and optionally a rechargeable batteryor capacitor (e.g., a supercapacitor). After the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 70 is installed on the surface of the wheel rim72, the tire 76 is mounted on the wheel rim 72 over the energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 70. In general, one or more respectiveenergy harvesting wireless sensing units 70 may be attached to one ormore of the wheel rims 72 of the vehicle 74.

In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 6A, one or more permanentmagnets 77, 78, 80 are mounted to the chassis 82 (or frame) of thevehicle 74. The magnets 77, 78, 80 are mounted at respective locationson the chassis 82 that are adjacent to the wheel rim 72. In addition toother factors, the degree of coupling between the embedded energyharvesting wireless sensor unit 70 and the magnets 77-80 decreases withthe distance separating the energy harvesting wireless sensor unit 70from the magnets 77, 78, 80. In some examples, the separation distancebetween the magnets 77, 78, 80 and the energy harvesting wireless sensorunit 70 on the wheel rim 72 is approximately 2-5 cm; in other examples,the separation distance is in the range of 2-10 cm.

FIG. 6B shows an example of the wheel rim 72 that is aligned forattachment to a hub 83 of an axle 85. As the wheel rim 72 rotates, aninductor (or solenoid) embedded in the energy harvesting wireless sensorunit 70 experiences a diverse magnetic field that is produced by themagnets 77, 78, 80 that are fixed to the vehicle 74. A maximized fluxchange is induced in the inductor (or solenoid) when it is directlyadjacent each magnet 77, 78, 80. The flux change induces a voltage inthe inductor (or solenoid) with a frequency related to the rotationalspeed of the wheel rim 72 and the number of magnets on the vehiclechassis 82.

FIG. 7A shows a cross-sectional side view of a portion of an embodiment86 of the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 70 in the form of aflexible adhesive tape. In general, the energy harvesting wirelesssensing unit 70 may include any of the components of the commoncomponent substrate 24 shown and discussed in connection with FIG. 4,including but not limited to one or more wireless communication systemseach of which includes a respective transceiver circuit 34 (e.g., atransceiver semiconductor circuit), a respective antenna 36, one or moresensors, a processor 42, and processor readable memory 44. The energyharvesting wireless sensing unit 86 includes a flexible substrate 87with an adhesive layer 88 on its top surface and an optional adhesivelayer 90 on its bottom surface. If the bottom adhesive layer 90 ispresent, a release liner (not shown) may be (weakly) adhered to thebottom surface of the adhesive layer 90. The adhesive layer 88 bonds theflexible substrate 87 to a bottom surface of a flexible circuit 92 thatincludes one or more wiring layers (not shown) that connect a processor,a circuit (e.g., a wireless receiver circuit, wireless transmittercircuit, or wireless transceiver circuit), an antenna, and othercomponents including, for example, one or more sensors, and a planarcoil energy harvester 94 in a device layer 98 of the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 70, to each other and to the flexible rechargeablebattery 96 and, thereby, enable the energy generation, the tracking andother functionalities of the energy harvesting wireless sensing unit 70.A flexible polymer layer 98 encapsulates the device layer and therebyreduces the risk of damage that may result from the intrusion ofcontaminants and/or liquids (e.g., water) into the device layer. Theflexible polymer layer 98 also planarizes the device, which distributesforces generated in, on or across the energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 70 so as to reduce potentially damaging asymmetric stresses thatmight be caused by the application of bending, torqueing, pressing,vibrations or other forces on the energy harvesting wireless sensingunit 70. A flexible cover 100 is bonded to the planarizing polymer 98 byan adhesive layer 102.

In some examples, the flexible adhesive tape 86 may be fabricatedaccording to a roll-to-roll fabrication process that is related to thefabrication process described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/842,861, filed Dec. 14, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIG. 7B shows an embodiment of the planar coil energy harvester 94 shownin FIG. 6A. In this embodiment, the planar coil 104 is formed on one ormore flexible layers of electrically insulating material on which isformed one or more electrically conducting planar coil traces 106 thatare electrically connected together using interlayer electricalconnections. In operation, as the wheel rim 72 rotates, the planar coilenergy harvester 94 that is embedded in the energy harvesting wirelesssensor unit 70 experiences a diverse magnetic field that is produced bythe magnets 77, 78, 80 that are fixed to the chassis of the vehicle 74.A maximized flux change is induced in the planar coil energy harvester94 when it is directly adjacent each magnet 77, 78, 80. The flux changeinduces a voltage in the planar coil energy harvester 94 with afrequency related to the rotational speed of the wheel rim 72 and thenumber of magnets on the vehicle chassis.

Referring to FIG. 7C, the planar coil energy harvester 94 is connectedto a rectifier 16 that rectifies the output of the planar coil energyharvester 94. The rectified output generated by the rectifier 16 chargesthe flexible rechargeable energy source 96 (e.g., a rechargeable batteryor a capacitor) and optionally directly powers at least one processor,memory, and one or more sensors 18. In some embodiments, the flexiblerechargeable battery 96 is replaced or supplemented by one or more othertypes of energy storage devices, including a capacitor (e.g., asupercapacitor).

FIG. 8A shows an embodiment 110 of the energy harvesting wirelesssensing unit 70 that corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7Aexcept for the replacement of the planar coil energy harvester 94 with apiezoelectric energy harvester 112. In general, the energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 110 may include any of the components of thecommon component substrate 24 shown and discussed in connection withFIG. 4, including but not limited to one or more wireless communicationsystems each of which includes a respective transceiver circuit 34(e.g., a transceiver semiconductor circuit), a respective antenna 36,one or more sensors, a processor 42, and processor readable memory 44.The piezoelectric energy harvester 112 includes one or morepiezoelectric elements that output a voltage when deformed as a resultof exposure of the flexible substrate of the wireless sensing unit 70 toforces, such as linear forces, rotational forces, vibrations, etc.,where the magnitude of the output voltage increases with the degree ofdeformation of the piezoelectric element. In some embodiments, thepiezoelectric energy harvester 12 has the shape of a flexible elongatedplanar beam.

In some examples, the flexible adhesive tape 110 may be fabricatedaccording to a roll-to-roll fabrication process that is similar to theprocess described in connection with FIGS. 6, 7A, and 7B of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/842,861, filed Dec. 14, 2017, the entirety ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 8B shows an embodiment of a piezoelectric energy harvestingwireless sensing circuit 114 that includes a piezoelectric energyharvester 112, one or more sensors 18, including an optional locationtracking system, that are electrically connected to a rechargeableenergy source 116, which may be located in the flexible adhesive product110. The piezoelectric energy harvester 112 is connected to a rectifier16 that rectifies the output of the piezoelectric energy harvester 112.The rectified output of the rectifier 16 charges the flexiblerechargeable energy source 116 and optionally directly powers the atleast one processor, memory, and one or more sensors 18. In someembodiments, the flexible rechargeable battery 96 is replaced orsupplemented by one or more other types of energy storage devices,including a capacitor (e.g., a supercapacitor). The wireless sensingcircuit 114 can use one or more of the wireless transceivers 20 tocommunicate with one or more of network services described above(including locationing services, such as GPS) to determine or reportdata or information (e.g., the realtime geographic position of theenergy harvesting wireless sensing circuit 132), which may be used in avariety of different applications, including logistics and the othertracking, sensing, monitoring, and reporting applications describedabove.

Referring back to FIG. 6B, embodiments 120, 122 of the piezoelectricenergy harvesting wireless sensing unit 110 are adhered to the axel 85,which rotates the wheel rim 72. In some embodiments, one or both of thepiezoelectric energy harvesting sensing units 120, 122 includes agyroscope (e.g., a MEMS gyroscope) that can measure angular velocity andorientation at scheduled intervals and wirelessly transmit informationregarding the measured parameters to a receiver unit in the driver'sdashboard interface of the vehicle 74. The information regarding themeasured angular velocity also may be reported a network service (e.g.,a rental car company or a ride hailing service). Other parameters thatcan be measured, reported, or otherwise acted upon include acceleration,temperature, humidity, wheel slippage, and wheel rotation rate.

FIG. 6B also shows several threaded bolts 124 that are used to securethe wheel hub 83 and bearings (not shown) to the wheel rim 72. In someembodiments, the bolts 124 include thermal energy harvesting componentsto harvest energy from the substantial difference in temperaturesbetween the distal ends of the bolts 124 and the proximal ends of thebolts 124. In particular, during movement of the vehicle 24, the wheelbearings heat lubricating oil in the bearings track to relatively hightemperatures (e.g., on the order of 120° C.), which in turn heats thedistal ends of the bolts 124. In these embodiments, the thermal energydifference between the proximal and distal ends of the bolts can beexploited to enable thermoelectric energy harvesting in the bolts.

FIG. 9A shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of one 126 of thewheel hub bolts 124 that is configured to generate electrical energyfrom the temperature difference between the proximal and distal ends ofthe bolt 126. In general, the thermoelectric generator 128 may be anytype of thermoelectric energy generating device that is compatible withthe bolt form factor and operating environment. In an exampleembodiment, the thermoelectric energy generating device is a solid statedevice that provides direct electrical energy generation from a thermalenergy temperature gradient along the bolt 126 based on the “Seebeckeffect”. In the illustrated embodiment, the bolt 126 includes aplurality of thermoelectric elements 128 (e.g., a plurality ofelectrically coupled pairs of n-type and p-type conductivitysemiconductor elements in parallel) in a distal (hot) end of the bolt124, and an electrical energy output and/or storage interface 130 in aproximal (cooler) end (e.g., head) of the bolt, which functions as aheat sink. In some embodiments, the electrical energy storage interfaceincludes an electrical energy storage device (e.g., a rechargeablebattery or a capacitor, such as a supercapacitor). In other embodiments,the electrical energy storage device is a separate external componentthat is electrically coupled to the electrical energy interface 130.

FIG. 9B shows an embodiment of a thermoelectric based energy harvestingwireless sensing circuit 132 that includes a thermoelectric energyharvesting bolt 126, at least one processor, memory, and one or moresensors 18, including an optional location tracking system, that areelectrically connected to a rechargeable energy source 134, which may belocated in the energy harvesting bolt 126. The thermoelectric energyharvesting bolt 126 is connected to a rectifier 16 that rectifies theoutput of the thermoelectric energy harvesting bolt 126. The rectifiedoutput of the rectifier 16 charges the flexible rechargeable battery 134and optionally directly powers the one or more sensors 18. In someembodiments, the flexible rechargeable battery 96 is replaced orsupplemented by one or more other types of energy storage devices,including a capacitor (e.g., a supercapacitor). The thermoelectricenergy harvesting bolt 126 can use one or more of the wirelesstransceivers 20 to communicate with one or more of network servicesdescribed above (including locationing services, such as GPS) todetermine or report data or information (e.g., the realtime geographicposition of the energy harvesting wireless sensing circuit 132), whichmay be used in a variety of different applications, including logisticsand the other tracking, sensing, monitoring, and reporting applicationsdescribed above.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a magnetic induction based energy harvestingwireless sensing unit 140 that includes a vibration sensor 142 that isattached to the wheel rim, between the between the wheel rim 72 and thetire 76 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B). In some examples the vibration sensor 142includes one or more of a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, analtimeter, and a piezoelectric sensor. In some examples, the sensingunit 140 uses one or more of the wireless transceivers 20 to transmitsensor data to one or more designated destinations for monitoring,diagnostic, and maintenance applications. In other examples, the sensingunit 140 includes a processor that is programmed to process the sensordata and then transmit the processed data to the one or more designateddestinations.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a magnetic induction based energy harvestingwireless sensing unit that includes an RFID reader 150 embedded on thewheel rim 72. The RFID reader 150 uses radio waves to interrogatepassive RFID tags that are within range. In the illustrated example, theRFID reader 150 is used to interrogate an RFID tag 152 that is embeddedin a tire 154. The sensing unit 156 can use one or more of the wirelesstransceivers 20 to transmit the information received from the RFID tag106 to one or more designated destinations for monitoring, diagnostic,and maintenance applications.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a venue 158 (e.g., a room) that includes awireless charging system 160 that uses beam forming and beam steeringtechniques to efficiently transfer power to and communicate with amaster tape node 162 and a peripheral tape node 164. The master tapenode 162 that is configured with embedded components that enables it tooperate as a wireless gateway, including short and intermediate rangewireless communications systems, a processor, and a memory. Theperipheral tape node 164, on the other hand, includes one or moreembedded components that enable it to operate as a wireless sensor node,including a short range communications system, a processor, one or moresensors, and a memory. Example sensors include pressure sensors,vibration sensors, image sensors (e.g., infrared sensors), lightsensors, acoustic sensors, liquid analysis sensors, electrical sensors(e.g., ammeters), temperature sensors, a capacitive sensor, a gyroscope,an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a strain sensor, a pressuresensor, a light sensor, a humidity sensor, altimeters, flow sensors, andlocation sensors (e.g., GPS sensors). In some embodiments, the wirelesscharging system 160 also is embodied in a tape form factor. In theseembodiments, the wireless charging system 160 may operate as a masternode with wireless charging capabilities.

In some embodiments, the wireless charging system 160 is configured tocommunicate with the master tape node 162 and the peripheral tape node164 on a scheduled, periodic, or ad hoc basis by transmitting a pingpacket to the tape nodes 162, 164. After receiving a response packetfrom each tape node 162, 164, the wireless charging system 160 can pairwith the tape nodes 162, 164 and then determine their respectivestatuses. In some examples, if the wireless charging system 160determines that one or both of the tape nodes 162, 164 have batterylevels that are below a prescribed threshold, the wireless chargingsystem 160 will transmit a respective focused RF beam to each of thetape nodes 162, 164 to charge their respective embedded energy storagecomponents.

In some examples, the beam steering capabilities of the wirelesscharging system 160 provide on-demand wireless charging to the tapenodes 162, 164. For example, in some embodiments, the tape nodes 162,164 may send request packets to the wireless charging system 160 whentheir battery levels are below a prescribed threshold. In response tothe receipt of a request packet the wireless charging system 160transmits a focused RF charging beam to the requesting tape node ornodes. After receiving sufficient energy to transmit one or morescheduled data packets to a target destination, the one or more tapenode transmit a data packet to respective target nodes. For example, theperipheral tape node 162 may transmit the data packet to the master tapenode 164. The master tape node 164, in turn, may transmit the datapacket to an intermediate range wireless access point or an ISP.

In some embodiments, instead of having rechargeable batteries, the tapenodes use capacitive rechargeable energy sources (e.g., supercapacitors). In these embodiments, the tape nodes have a limited amountof charge and therefore would only be able to perform a limited numberof tasks before requiring additional charge. In some embodiments, thewireless charging system 160 is configured to deliver a directed burstof radiofrequency electromagnetic energy to recharge the energy levelsin the capacitive energy storage components in the respective tape nodeson a scheduled or on-demand basis.

In some embodiments, one or both of the tape nodes 162 and 164 may beinstalled behind the respective walls of the room 158 to which theycurrently are attached. In particular, during construction of the room158, before the workers put up the walls they are instructed to attach aprescribed number of tape nodes of particular types one particular onesof the studs to which the walls will be attached. In these embodiments,the tape nodes 162, 164 will be protected against damage by the walls,while still allowing the tape nodes 162, 164 to be charged through thewalls.

A third tape node 166 is adhered to a door 168 located under thewireless charging system 160. In this position, the wireless chargingsystem 160 is unable to charge the rechargeable energy source of thethird tape node 166. The third tape node 166, however, includes anembedded motion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer or a gyroscope) thatgenerates electrical energy when the door opens. The third tape node 166also includes an electrical energy harvesting circuit that stores themotion induced electrical current in the rechargeable energy source ofthe third tape node 166. In some examples, the rechargeable battery inthe third tape node also may be charged by a circuit embedded in thethird tape node that harvests ambient RF energy using an RF receiverthat converts RF energy into direct current (DC) that is coupled to aninput of the rechargeable battery of the third tape node 166.Alternatively, instead of incorporating the RF receiver into the thirdtape node 166, the ambient RF energy converting RF receiver is aseparate external component that can be placed adjacent an internal RFreceiver of the third tape node 166 to charge the rechargeable batteryof the third tape node 166.

FIG. 13A shows alternative embodiments for charging the tape nodes. Inone embodiment, a separate charging device 170 is temporarily mountedover or positioned adjacent the tape node 162. The charging device 170preferably does not adhere to the tape node 162. In some embodiments,the outwardly facing surface of the tape node 162 has an externalnon-stick surface that enables the charging device to be easilyseparated from the tape node 162 after being charged.

In some embodiments, the charging device 170 is implemented as aflexible adhesive tape, which may be wound onto a roll or placed onrectangular sheets that have release backings. The process of separatingsegments of the roll of adhesive tape or segments of a sheet of adhesivelabels electrically connects electrical components embedded in eachsegment to a rechargeable energy source (e.g., a rechargeable battery ora capacitor) in the segment. Related examples of processes of activatingtape nodes are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/842,861,filed Dec. 14, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein byreference. After being activated, the charging device 170 begins todirect RF energy to a charging circuit that charges a rechargeablebattery in the tape node 162.

FIG. 13B shows an example of the tape receiver charging components 172of the tape node 162 and an example of the tape charger components 174of tape charging device 170. A direct current power source 176 powers awireless charging transmitter 178. A coil 178 and a capacitor 180 aredriven by a transistor bridge 182. The wireless receiver coil 184couples the induced power to the components 172 of the tape node 162. Areceiver 186 rectifies the induced power using a set of diode rectifiers188. The received power also is filtered using one or more outputcapacitors 192 before delivering the current to the battery 194.

Referring back to FIG. 13A, in an alternative embodiment, the tape node164 additionally includes a solar cell charger 196 for charging arechargeable energy source (e.g., a rechargeable battery or a capacitor)in the tape node 164. In some embodiments, the solar cells areimplemented on a flexible substrate that is integrated into the tapenode 164.

Tape nodes have limited energy storage capacities. As a result, in someembodiments, the tape nodes operate in accordance with an energy basedscheduling protocol in which tasks are performed based in part on thecurrent energy levels that are available to the tape nodes. In someexamples, the logical set of tape nodes consists of a hierarchical groupof tape nodes that work cooperatively in performing a set of tasks oractivities. The tape nodes in the group may change over time; forexample, one or more tape nodes may fail and one or more tape nodes mayjoin the group. Some or all of the tape nodes in the logical grouptypically have non-volatile memories for persistent storage of data,instructions, executable code, and the like.

FIG. 14 shows an embodiment of a flow diagram of a method of organizingor managing the activities performed by a logical group of tape nodes ina series of phases comprising: a reconstruct phase; an execute phase;and a prepare reconstruction phase.

In the reconstruct phase (FIG. 14, block 200), a master node establishesthe current environment of the network. In this process, the master noderetrieves from its non-volatile memory or from another node (e.g., aserver nodes of a network service) information about the last state ofthe network, including the values of variables, algorithm parameters,the program counters and, in some embodiments, the energy levels of thetape nodes in the logical group. In some embodiments, the activities andtasks to be performed are scheduled based on a partitioning of theenergy levels available on the tape nodes into respective levels (e.g.,level 1 to level 10). Each activity or task to be performed is assigneda respective level on the scale. of one to ten. For example, one tapenode may only have 20 joules to allocate and there is a level 1instruction that requires 6 joules to execute and a level 2 instructionthat requires 12 joules to execute, so both the level 1 and the level 2instructions are added to the queue for execution. In some embodiments,the available energy may be partitioned by setting the cycle frequencyof the processor to different levels based on the available energy levelon a tape node and the tasks or activities to be performed.

In some examples, the master tape node sends the information retrievedto a network server that compiles the information retrieved by themaster node and returns to the master tape node an optimized schedule oftimes, tasks, activities, and processor speeds to be performed and a setof coded instructions for performing those activities. The master tapenode typically transmits the coded instructions to other tape nodes inthe logical group for execution.

In the execute phase (FIG. 14, block 202), the master tape node and theother tape nodes in the logical group execute the assigned instructionsaccording to the prescribed schedule. During the execute phase,peripheral tape nodes may perform a variety of tasks and activities,including using sensors to sense the physical environment (e.g.,measuring temperature, pressure, humidity, acceleration, battery level,etc.) and storing the measured parameter values in non-volatile memory.In some embodiments, the peripheral tape nodes include non-volatilememory for storing the measured parameter values. In other embodiments,one or more peripheral tape nodes may not include any non-volatilememory and, instead, transmit the measured parameter values to a tapenode at the next level up in the hierarchy of nodes (e.g., the mastertape level).

In the prepare reconstruction phase (FIG. 14, block 204), the mastertape node and other tape nodes determine the results of the activitiesperformed during the execute phase (e.g., success or failure) and sendthe results up to the next level in the hierarchy of tape nodes in thegroup for evaluation. Depending on the success or failure of the variousactivities and tasks, the master tape node is able to determine thecurrent state of the system, including the values of variables,algorithm parameters, the program counters and, in some embodiments, theenergy levels of the tape nodes in the logical group.

Examples of the subject matter described herein, including the disclosedsystems, methods, processes, functional operations, and logic flows, canbe implemented in data processing apparatus (e.g., computer hardware anddigital electronic circuitry) operable to perform functions by operatingon input and generating output. Examples of the subject matter describedherein also can be tangibly embodied in software or firmware, as one ormore sets of computer instructions encoded on one or more tangiblenon-transitory carrier media (e.g., a machine readable storage device,substrate, or sequential access memory device) for execution by dataprocessing apparatus.

The details of specific implementations described herein may be specificto particular embodiments of particular inventions and should not beconstrued as limitations on the scope of any claimed invention. Forexample, features that are described in connection with separateembodiments may also be incorporated into a single embodiment, andfeatures that are described in connection with a single embodiment mayalso be implemented in multiple separate embodiments. In addition, thedisclosure of steps, tasks, operations, or processes being performed ina particular order does not necessarily require that those steps, tasks,operations, or processes be performed in the particular order; instead,in some cases, one or more of the disclosed steps, tasks, operations,and processes may be performed in a different order or in accordancewith a multi-tasking schedule or in parallel.

Other embodiments are within the scope of the claims.

1. Apparatus, comprising: a flexible adhesive tape node attached to arotatable component and comprising an energy harvester component, aprocessor, a memory, a rechargeable energy source, and a wirelesstransmitter; wherein rotation of the rotatable component generates anelectric current in the energy harvester component that powers arechargeable energy source.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein therotatable component is a wheel rim of the vehicle.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the flexible adhesive tape node comprises an RFIDreader circuit attached to the wheel rim of the vehicle and configuredto interrogate an RFID tag in a tire of the vehicle.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the flexible adhesive tape node is attached to thewheel rim between the wheel rim and a tire of the vehicle.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4, wherein the flexible adhesive tape node comprisesa pressure sensor that generates output pressure values, and thewireless transmitter is operable to wirelessly transmit one or more datapackets encoded with the output temperature values to a network address.6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the flexible adhesive tape nodecomprises a temperature sensor that generates output temperature values,and the wireless transmitter is operable to wirelessly transmit one ormore data packets encoded with the output temperature values to anetwork address.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotatablecomponent is an axel of the vehicle.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7,wherein the energy harvester component of the flexible adhesive tapenode comprises a vibration sensor that generates electrical energy inresponse to vibration at an output that is electrically connected to therechargeable energy source.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein theenergy harvester component of the flexible adhesive tape node comprisesa thermoelectric energy generator coupled to an input of therechargeable energy source.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein thethermoelectric energy generator is embedded in a bolt securing a wheelhub to the wheel rim of the vehicle.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the energy harvester component of the flexible adhesive tapenode comprises a planar electrically conductive coil that is configuredto couple with the magnetic field generated by the magnetic fieldgeneration component.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising amagnetic field generation component configured to be mounted to achassis of a vehicle adjacent a rotatable component of the vehicle;wherein rotation of the rotatable component in relation to the magneticfield generation component induces the electric current in the energyharvester component that powers the rechargeable energy source.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: one or more flexible adhesivetape nodes each respectively comprising a processor, a non-volatilememory, an energy source, and a wireless transmitter, wherein at leastone of the flexible adhesive tape nodes is a master node and multipleother ones of the flexible adhesive tape nodes are peripheral nodes,wherein the flexible adhesive tape nodes are adhered to the vehicle atrespective locations and communicate with one another wirelessly over awireless network; in a reconstruct phase, the master node is programmedto: establish the current network environment based on a last state ofthe network environment stored in its non-volatile memory, receive anoptimized schedule of activities, transmit sets of coded instructions toperform those activities to respective ones of the flexible adhesivetape nodes, and store the respective sets of coded instructions innon-volatile memory; in an execute phase, the respective ones of theflexible adhesive tape nodes are programmed to execute the coded sets ofinstructions stored in the respective sets of coded instructions innon-volatile memory; and in a prepare reconstruction phase, the masterand peripheral tape nodes are programmed to determine results of theexecute phase, and transmit the determined results to respectiveflexible adhesive tape nodes to respective next levels up in a hierarchyof the flexible adhesive tape nodes.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein in the reconstruct phase, the master node is programmed toestablish the last state of the network environment based on datacomprising values of variables, algorithm parameters, program counters,and energy levels of the flexible adhesive tape nodes.
 15. A system,comprising: a receiver, comprising flexible adhesive tape nodecomprising a receiver planar coil, a processor, a memory, a rechargeableenergy source, and a wireless transceiver; wireless charger, comprisinga flexible adhesive tape node comprising a transmitter planar coil, aprocessor, a memory, an energy source, and a wireless transceiver,wherein the memory of the wireless charger flexible adhesive tape nodestores coded instructions to wirelessly ascertain a charge level of therechargeable energy source of the receiver flexible adhesive tape nodeand, based on a determination that the charge level is below athreshold, initiate a process of wirelessly charging the rechargeableenergy source by steering a radiofrequency beam toward a location of thereceiver for a specified duration.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the wireless charger is operable to steer an RF charging beamtoward the receiver.